Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Income Tax Unchanged, Capex Push & Fiscal Deficit Mark Sitharaman's 9th Budget

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that there are no changes to the existing income tax slabs for FY 2026-27. The current rates and structure under the new tax regime remain unchanged for individual taxpayers.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Several relief and compliance measures were introduced for individual taxpayers, including allowing Non-Resident Indians (PROIs) to invest in listed equities via PIS, exemption of interest from motor accident tribunals, reduced TCS on overseas tour packages and education/medical remittances to 2%, lower TDS on manpower services, extended timelines for revising returns, and a one-time six-month foreign asset disclosure scheme. Measures also include updating returns post-reassessment at 10% additional tax and decriminalisation of certain non-compliances, aimed at simplifying and easing tax compliance.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a reduction in customs duty on dutiable goods imported for personal use. The tariff rate has been cut from the existing 20% to 10%, aimed at rationalising the customs duty structure and easing the burden on individual importers.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Under the new income tax regime for FY 2026–27, income up to Rs 4 lakh will be fully exempt due to the basic exemption limit. Tax will be levied at 5% on income between Rs 4-8 lakh, 10% on Rs 8-12 lakh, 15% on Rs 12-16 lakh, 20% on Rs 16-20 lakh, 25% on Rs 20-24 lakh, while income above Rs 24 lakh will attract the highest slab of 30%.
 

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced major relief for the fisheries sector, stating that fish caught by Indian fishing vessels in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or on the high seas will be made free of customs duty. She added that landing such fish at foreign ports will be treated as export of goods, with safeguards to prevent misuse during catch, transit, or transhipment.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Sitharaman announced duty exemption for aircraft components, a move aimed at strengthening India’s aviation manufacturing, repair, and maintenance ecosystem under the government’s push for domestic production.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the extension of basic customs duty exemption on capital goods used for manufacturing lithium-ion cells to include those used for battery energy storage systems. She also proposed exempting basic customs duty on sodium antimonate imports used in the manufacturing of solar glass, boosting clean energy manufacturing.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The Finance Minister said the government will extend the basic customs duty exemption on imports required for nuclear power projects till 2035. The exemption will now apply to all nuclear power plants, irrespective of their capacity, offering long-term policy certainty to the sector.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: To strengthen domestic capabilities in strategic resources, basic customs duty exemption has been proposed for the import of capital goods required for processing critical minerals in India, supporting supply-chain security and boosting indigenous manufacturing.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced an export push by increasing the duty-free import limit for inputs used in seafood processing from 1% to 3% of the previous year’s FOB export turnover. She also said that duty-free imports of specified inputs, earlier available for exports of leather or synthetic footwears, will now be extended to shoe uppers, boosting export competitiveness and value addition.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: All IT services will be clubbed under a single category with a uniform safe harbour margin of 15.5%, simplifying compliance. The safe harbour threshold has been raised sharply from Rs 300 crore to RS 2,000 crore, and approvals will now follow an automatic, rule-based model, offering greater certainty and ease of doing business for IT firms

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed extending the time limit for filing revised income-tax returns from December 31 to March 31, allowing taxpayers to revise returns on payment of a nominal fee.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: A one-time six-month scheme allows certain individuals, including students, to disclose undisclosed overseas assets or income. The scheme covers assets up to Rs 1 crore for non-disclosed and Rs 5 crore for previously disclosed assets.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Taxpayers can now update returns even after reassessment, by paying 10% additional tax over the original liability. The updated return will be accepted after full payment of the tax due.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The fiscal deficit for FY27 has been retained at 4.3% of GDP, reflecting the government’s commitment to fiscal prudence.

 

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that any interest awarded by the motor accident claims tribunal to a natural person will be exempt from income tax, and TDS on such interest will be removed.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: In a major relief, the government has reduced TCS on overseas tour packages to 2%, down from earlier rates of 5% and 20%, with no minimum amount condition, lowering the upfront tax burden on foreign travel.

Under the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS), TCS for education and medical expenses abroad has also been cut from 5% to 2%, easing remittances for students and patients.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: FM Nirmala Sitharaman announced that public capital expenditure will be increased to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in 2026-27, reinforcing the government’s continued emphasis on infrastructure investment and economic growth.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed an outlay of Rs 20,000 crore over the next five years for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies, aiming to scale up and achieve higher readiness levels in end-use applications across sectors.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced Biopharma Shakti with a proposed outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over five years. The initiative aims to develop India as a global bio-pharma hub, focusing on research, innovation, and expanding manufacturing capacity.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, focusing on industry-led research and the creation of training centres for semiconductors. The initiative aims to strengthen India’s semiconductor ecosystem and develop a skilled talent pipeline to support the country’s technology ambitions.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Union Budget 2026 focuses on three key objectives:

• Sustainable economic growth
• Resilience towards global dynamics
• Prosperity of the people

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Speaking in the Lok Sabha, FM Sitharaman said, “Since we assumed office 12 years ago, India’s economic trajectory has been marked by stability. This government led by PM Modi has chosen action over ambivalence, reform over rhetoric. We have pursued far-reaching structural reforms, fiscal prudence and monetary stability, while maintaining a strong thrust on public investment".

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman officially presents her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the Lok Sabha today, marking a historic milestone in Indian fiscal history.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Physical copies of the Union Budget 2026-27 have been brought to Parliament, ahead of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget presentation in the Lok Sabha.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The Union cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday approved the Union Budget 2026-27. This is the third budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at Parliament to chair a crucial Union Cabinet meeting to review the Union Budget 2026-27. The meeting, which began around 10:00 AM, is the final formal step before the Budget presentation. 

After the Cabinet discussion, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to head to the Lok Sabha to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget at 11:00 AM, marking a rare Sunday Budget presentation.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by MoS Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and senior officials, arrives at Parliament ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget 2026.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan ahead of presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget in Parliament today.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The Centre is expected to fast-track regulatory reforms by easing compliance to support the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Economists see GDP growth at 6.5-7% in FY27, with inflation near RBI’s 4% target, while the Economic Survey projects growth of 6.8-7.2% in FY27 after 7.4% in FY26.

The Union Government is expected to present a Rs 54.1 lakh crore Budget for FY 2026–27, marking a 7.9% year-on-year growth, according to a report by Sunidhi Securities & Finance Ltd.

The report notes that Total Expenditure (TE) a key indicator of fiscal intent, averaged 14.8% of GDP during FY23–FY25. While FY26 Budget Estimates pegged TE at Rs 50.65 lakh crore (14.2% of GDP), revised estimates suggest spending could moderate to Rs 50.15 lakh crore (14.0% of GDP) amid weaker nominal GDP growth and lower revenue buoyancy.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with her team, is seen outside the Ministry of Finance carrying the traditional 'Digital Bahi-Khata'. She is scheduled to present the Union Budget 2026 in the Lok Sabha at around 11 AM today.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: India's fiscal situation is under pressure due to GST and income tax relief measures, affecting revenue. FY26 net tax collections are projected at Rs 28.3 lakh crore. To fill the gap, the government anticipates Rs 50,000 crore from divestments and a potential RBI dividend of up to Rs 3 lakh crore. Achieving Budget targets will necessitate increased tax receipts in the last four months, with revenue shortfalls managed through careful spending adjustments, maintaining a 4.4% fiscal deficit target.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Under Section 87A, taxpayers with total income up to Rs 7 lakh (as per the new tax slabs in Budget 2026) will continue to get full rebate, reducing their tax liability to zero. This move provides direct relief to middle-class households under the revised income tax regime.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Kartavya Bhawan, ready to present the Union Budget 2026‑27 in Parliament.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Indian shares are set to open higher in a special trading session ahead of the federal budget on Sunday as investors look for cues on support for growth from government capital spending and relief for export-oriented sectors hit by U.S. tariffs.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Republic Media Network in collaboration with Sarvam AI  is all set deliver Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget2026 speech with real-time LIVE translation in Hindi and Kannada.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary arrives at the Ministry of Finance as preparations are underway for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Budget 2026 in Parliament today.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for the year 2026-27.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India's tax reforms prioritize national interests over crisis response, easing the burden on middle-income earners. In Budget 2025, he noted that previous high tax rates on Rs 12 lakh income have reduced to negligible liabilities through revisions and rebates.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Individuals can calculate their income tax via the Tax Calculator on the Income Tax Department's website.

First, visit the e-filing homepage, select Quick Links, and choose the tax calculator. Click the link to access the Income and Tax Calculator page, where you can select either the Basic or Advanced Calculator. In the Basic Calculator, enter details like Assessment Year, taxpayer category, age, residential status, annual income, and deductions to view your Tax Summary. For the Advanced Calculator, input additional details such as preferred tax regime and submission dates.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Raising the standard deduction to Rs 1 lakh will enhance take-home salaries under the new 2026 tax regime, allowing salaried taxpayers to earn Rs 13 lakh tax-free.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Ahead of the Budget speech, the comparison between the old and new tax regimes continues to dominate discussions. While the old regime allows deductions, the new regime’s lower slab rates are expected to appeal to younger professionals who prefer simplicity over exemptions.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Tax professionals and consumer groups have urged the government to increase the Section 87A rebate threshold, which currently provides relief only up to a certain annual income. A higher threshold could mean direct relief for millions of income taxpayers.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Salaried taxpayers and tax experts are expecting Budget 2026 to raise the basic exemption limit and widen slab ranges at lower levels, a move seen as essential given rising living costs and inflationary pressures. There is also demand for an enhanced standard deduction beyond the current Rs 75,000.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: The new tax regime before Budget 2026 offered a simpler structure with no tax up to Rs 3 lakh, followed by progressive rates: 5% up to Rs 6 lakh, 10% up to Rs 9 lakh, 15% up to Rs 12 lakh, 20% up to Rs 15 lakh and 30% beyond. Taxpayers opting for this regime forewent most exemptions.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Under the old tax regime prior to Budget 2026, the basic exemption limit was Rs 2.5 lakh, followed by 5% tax up to Rs 5 lakh, 20% up to Rs 10 lakh, and 30% on income above Rs 10 lakh. Taxpayers could claim deductions such as Section 80C (Rs 1.5L), 80D (medical), HRA, LTA and more.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: With Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present Budget 2026 today, income tax slab changes, enhanced rebates and possible increases in the basic exemption limit are among the most expected proposals. Middle-income taxpayers are awaiting clarity on measures that could boost disposable income.

Union Budget 2026 LIVE: Indian equity markets are open for trading today as Budget 2026 unfolds. Investors are tracking early reactions from the Sensex and Nifty on expectations around tax relief, fiscal measures and growth-oriented spending.